Nautitech Open 40 Yacht Charter – The Irresistible Cat!

The Nautitech Open 40 was a new experience for me, and not just because it was a model I’d never sailed before. The Open 40 has a unique layout that intrigued us and had us marveling at how such a change could make a sailing trip seem so different.

Instead of the galley and saloon being located below deck, the customary social center of the boat is moved to a widened cockpit on deck.

The Nautitech Open 40 Yacht Charter is the perfect boat for sailors who want to spend as much time as possible on deck but still be well protected from the elements.

The Open 40 was a wholly pleasant surprise, and I enjoyed all the little details that went into the design of this vessel.


Accommodation

The Nautitech Open 40 is available in a charter version or an owner version. The charter boat has 4 cabins and 2 heads, while the owner’s layout features a massive master suite.

Showers are in each head, located in the main cabin head and off the combination cockpit/saloon.

We had no trouble fitting everyone onboard, and it was especially nice being able to go below deck and get away from everyone if you needed some privacy. This is especially useful for moody teenagers!

It should be noted that the “open 40” does not come with a crew, but there is the possibility to hire a crew if you desire one. The crew usually consists of a skipper, a hostess, and a cook.

The cockpit layout is fantastic for skippering the vessel yourself and still remaining part of the group at all times, but I can see the usefulness of a crew onboard as well. Either way, you go; you’re in for a fun time!


Interior

The Open 40 is one of the few yachts where the interior and exterior collide. Technically, the saloon and galley are part of the interior, even though the design is an open concept.

The saloon is furnished with huge bench seats that can fit 8-10 people seated or 5-6 people in a lounging pose.

The table is large enough to accommodate everyone. The entire saloon is surrounded by windows, offering passengers an incredible view.

The galley is off the saloon and can be separated by a sliding glass door or left open to keep the cook as part of the group.

The galley is equipped with a 2-burner stove, a small refrigerator, and a handful of other essentials, but is not ideal for cooking meals.

We found that breakfast and lunch were easy enough to prepare onboard, but dinner required a trip to dry land.



Exterior

Since the cockpit of the Open 40 is part of a supersized multi-purpose area, the entire design of the yacht has been altered in comparison to traditional sailing yachts.

The twin helms extend out to the hulls and lend stability and ease of control when skippering the vessel.

Equipped with electric winch control and Garmin MFD, the yacht is a joy to skipper, and I was amazed at how little effort it took to dock the boat the first time we tried.

The single drawback of the cockpit, in my opinion, was that the wheels are exposed to the elements, and you would find skippering on a long-term trip difficult.


Under Sail

In a high wind, we could reach around 10 knots at a 110-degree wind angle before we knew it!

As long we used the jib, we would hover around 8-10 knots, but even without the use of the jib, we could reach 7-8 knots in a good wind.

The boat remained stable and rode the water smoothly as we watched the faraway land fly while we relaxed on the deck.


Why Sail the Nautitech 40

  • Unique construction and design add stability and increase performance
  • The decks will stay mostly dry due to the configuration of the boat
  • The cockpit is directly attached to the galley and saloon, optimizing space
  • The layout of the boat offers the skipper a 360-degree vantage point from any position
  • Spacious cabins with wide berths and other storage space
  • Easy to skipper and very responsive to the controls.

In Conclusion

My experience with the Nautitech Open 40 opened my eyes to a new kind of yacht. If you have the opportunity to charter this vessel, do not hesitate!

The open design is a novelty to many sailors, but this is not a flash-in-the-pan trend, so don’t scoff just because it’s different.

Your only regret would be if you never got the chance to try out this fast, fun, and sailor-friendly vessel!


Specifications

  • LOA: 11.98m
  • LWL: 11.50m
  • Beam: 6.50m
  • Draught: 1.35m
  • Sail area: 91sq m
  • Gennaker: 70sq m
  • Water: 480 liters
  • Fuel: 300 liters
  • Cabins: 4 to 6
  • Berths: 8 to 11

Have you sailed on the Nautitech Open 40? If so, please, share your experience in the comment below.